Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

James Thorne and the Orange Brits




Check out Hurley’s rider James Thorne drop 10 metres and set the highest Air Overall at this years Orange Brits in Laax; http://www.kaosbrandsinaction.com/files/Brits.wmv

Watch Out 4 SevenX



SevenX Clothing is coming and will only be available online at www.sevenx.co.uk

We'll let you know when you can start to check out the gear.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Nike ACG European Team Update

You will be delighted to hear that I have another great report to give you all, the team have been representing well throughout the world with the results coming in thick and fast.

Mirjam Jaeger

Mirjam has finished second overall in the FIS World Cup skiing Halfpipe tour which finished in Canada 2 weeks ago. We are really happy that she has managed to put this result together and hopefully she can go the whole way next year. To back up this result she also reached the final of the Orage European Open Halfpipe in Laax last week, the last major contest for her this winter. This means she has put together some great results this season putting ACG well and truly on the map for woman’s skiing.

Jukka Eratuli

After being injured for a couple of weeks Jukka is back riding as strong as ever. His first contest was in Estonia where he won the rider of the night title in front of a huge inner city crowd. Since then he has been filming and shooting hard starting in Helsinki which received a large amount of snow a couple of week and allowed him to get shots in factories and even managing a powder turn on the roof. He is now working over in the States and Canada (Pleasure Mag photoshoot) with the Storbis crew filming for his section of their movie this year which will be going out on the cover of Onboard next winter and this month Jukka was the featured rider in the Onboard showroom which shows off the riders kit in detail which is more great PR for ACG.

Andreas Hatveit
Andreas has been filming hard in Norway since he came back from his rib injury a couple of weeks ago. He has been getting the rail shots in the bag and went up to the north of Norway to shoot with a couple of the other ACG riders and they got some great stuff for the ACG DVD. His schedule from now until the end of May is full with photoshoots with Poor Boyz Productions (a top US production company), ACG and various invitational comps in France, Sweden and Canada.

Roy Kittler
Roy has been on fire the last week or 2 with his second consecutive victory in the Snowpark Tour – which earned him a place in the semi-final of the European Open Slopestyle and in the next Nokia Totally Board invitational which might be somewhere in Asis. With his place in the semi’s of the European Open already guaranteed it meant that Roy could concentrate on his run and he qualified through to the final in a truly world class field of skiers, he finished 11th, and was one of only 5 skiers in the contest to spin all 4 directions (both ways forward then both ways switch).

ACG was the best represented brand in the final of the first Orage European Open with 3 riders, Roy Kittler, Richard Permin and Martin Mishof showing the true depth and standard the ACG team has to offer. Martin Mishof finished 7th and Richard Permin earned himself a 6th place finish with a great run. Richard also was up in Norway filming with Andreas for 10 days and got some great shots both on rails and backcountry, Richard is a rider with great potential who has progressed a lot this season.

Flo Mausser
Flo has been based in Austria for the last couple of weeks after a failed trip to get to Russia for the last Big Air world cup (his flight was grounded in Frankfurt for 20 hours so he missed the contest) – this meant that he finished 4th overall in the FIS Big Air World Cup (a position that he had hoped to improve with a good result in Russia.

He has also been representing ACG in various photoshoots, the Monster Backside shoot in Oberstorf and the Blue Tomato shoot next week. In addition to that he has had a look at his footage from this year and he has over 130 seconds of stomped tricks for the DVD and his section in next years Fat Gypsy Production.

He is currently on his way to film in the Arlberg again after reaching the semi’s in the Wangl Tangl last weekend (a comp which he won last year) and he will head to the Spring Battle next weekend.

PG Conrardy
I have not heard from PG for a couple of weeks as he has been over in Pakistan for 2 weeks filming with a French crew for a magazine and video. It is a trip of a lifetime and I can report more once he has filled me in on how it went.

Mati Imbert
Has been based in France and has been filming and shooting in his home resort of Risoul. Currently he is working on setting up an end of season photoshoot there which would specifically be for ACG and should provide us with some great images. Mati will be heading over to BC, Canada with Sverre and Henning at the start of April to do some heli riding and get the final shots we need to complete the DVD. They have had great snow over there so far this season so lets hope it holds out.

Sverre Liliequist
For the last 2 weeks Sverre has been out of touch up in the North of Norway with his Swedish Posse getting as much freeride filming done as possible. He returned last night to Sweden where he is going to base himself until he heads to Canada (due to the lack of snow and high temperatures around Europe at the moment).

Flo Kofer

Flo is one of our Austrian freeriders who took a bad injury a few weeks ago, he has just dropped me a line to say that his knee is getting better and better and he is trying to get his summer trip to Argentina and Chile off the ground.

Jaime Puidengoles
Jaime was another of our injured soldiers who is on the mend and has plans to head over to the states to go filming in tahoe from the 4th-12th April. He has been working his riding in with his Uni work this year and has great plans for next year when he hopefully has more time on his hands.

As usual, if I have missed anything out please feel free to let me know.

Graham

Torah Bright Wins US Open Halfpipe


KAOS AthleteTorah Bright has won the US Open Womens Snowboard halfpipe.

Torah earned the top spot on the women’s podium with an air to fakie, Cab 720, frontside air, backside 360 ending with a switch backside 540. Torah’s switch backside 540 also scored her the $5000 Nintendo DS Best Trick award.
“The US Open has been around forever and is the most prestigious event,” says Torah. “Winning it was a huge goal of mine and something I can now check off my ‘things to do in my life’ list.
Besides a big fat $20,000 check, Torah won a Motorola cell phone and a Nintendo Red Mario Kart DS Bundle.

Check Torah's KAOS profile here

Friday, March 24, 2006

Wave for the camera!







Check out this snowboarder!

http://www.kaosbrandsinaction.com/files/bigsnowboardjump.wmv

How did it go so wrong!


Hi all

Were now putting together some funny vid clips for you to enjoy - Check out this skier in action!

http://www.kaosbrandsinaction.com/files/skicrash4.mpe

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Nike ACG UK Weekly Update W/C 21/03/06

Hi all,

It’s been a highly eventful week with all but one of our Pro Team having been heavily involved in the mountains. Naturally, the Brits has been the main focus for the guys but it doesn’t stop there.

THE ORANGE BRITS 2006


Dan Wakeham

Dan flew into Switzerland right off the back of Lake Placid and was only at the Brits for 48 hours before shooting on to Japan. However, it was a pleasure to watch him ride the pipe so well and the unanimous verdict was that his riding has come on leaps and bounds since this time last season. He was not able to topple Dom Harrington however, who retained his Half-pipe title. Dan’s second place was secured with some huge airs, Cripplers, 900’s Haakon flips and McTwists. The crowd were on their feet for each of his runs and he was rightfully pleased with his performance. It was just Dom’s day, although many felt that the result was too close to call with the two of them looking world class.


Murray Buchan

Murray has officially made the step from super grom into one of the most feared and respected UK skiers. In taking to the podium in both the senior mens Slopestyle and Big Air he has muscled past many of the ‘key UK riders’ and was undoubtedly one of the stories of the event. Naturally, he also won his age group in these events.

Murray’s 3rd place in the Slopestyle was secured with a switch 540 into the first kicker before a corked 720 into the second. His style on the rails shone through and his runs were an all round polished performance.

In the Big Air, Murray threw down a switch 900. Enough said really: this is a crazy trick for anyone to attempt, let alone for a 14 year old to stomp. Again, Murray burst through his age group and onto third on the podium.

Murray had a load of bad luck in the pipe: having qualified for the finals yet again he fell on a 540 in his first run. In preparation for his second run one of his skis was accidentally kicked down the hill and was lost for several hours. It meant that Murray was unable to complete a run in the finals.


Paddy Graham

Paddy has made the pipe his priority this season and it shows. He dismantled the opposition at the Orange Brits and was throwing huge rotations and at least 15ft of air at some points- check out the picture. His closest rival, Andy Bennett could not compete with the technical aspects of Paddy’s corked 7s and 900s and he was clearly delighted in securing his first senior title in his maiden year in the category.

Having wrapped up the competition, the riders were invited to take part in a highest air jam comp. Once again, Paddy left jaws on the floor and it came as no surprise that he walked away with the additional award.

Away from the pipe, Paddy didn’t podium but approached each comp with bags of style. It’s worth noting that the pipe was the final event of the week and Paddy was eager to concentrate on the title and practice whenever possible.


Angus Leith

Since his selection onto the GB team, Angus’ riding has clearly gone through the ceiling and his Half-pipe performance last week did a huge amount for his profile. Still only 17, Angus nevertheless made it into the senior men’s final at the Brits and looked hugely comfortable with a pipe that was proving too much for a number of experienced riders.



His runs were littered with 7s and inverts, including Cripplers and bags of air. With the likes of fellow team mates Wakeham and Harrington going off on another level Angus need not worry about not hitting the podium but there’s bags more to come from our young man.





Rebecca Cullum

Rebecca’s all out assault on the junior women’s event included a 3rd in the BoarderX, 2nd in Slopestyle and 1st in Big Air. Despite having precious little time to ride snow during the season Rebecca stepped out to demonstrate just why she is respected as one of the hottest and most consistent young talents amongst the ranks.






F.I.S. WORLD CUP


Dan Wakeham

Dan has thrown everything at the last couple of events this season. Not only did he fly from Lake Placid and compete in the Brits, but he also went straight onto the World Cup Finals in Japan. It’s fair to say that fatigue has played its part.

Out in Lake Placid he placed 25th and in Furano, at the World Cup Finals he finished up the season with a 17th. His overall World Cup placing for this season is a hugely credible 31st out of 125 competitors.


Zoe Gillings

Zoe literally just missed out on qualification to the knockout heats in Lake Placid, coming in 17th. With the top 16th qualifying for the finals she was gutted she didn’t get a crack at the competitors in a head to head but continues to be one of the most respected athletes at the highest level.

On 17th March, having gone ahead to the World Cup Finals Zoe qualified for the quarter finals but was knocked out with more bad luck. Her final placing was 12th, leaving her World Cup ranking for the season at no. 36. Zoe’s upbeat about her comeback; still limping she’s conscious that her rehab has gone as well as possible and is looking forward to coming back harder and stronger next season.


OTHER EVENTS


Noddy Gowans @ Red Bull Snow Thrill

Noddy was amongst the top 20 worldwide free-riders invited to Gressoney, Italy, for the most prestigious European backcountry event of the season. Sitting in first place after the first day, Nodds continued to shred the cliffs and lines and came in second after the three days of tough competition. Noddy was hugely saddened to receive tragic news whilst he was competing, of a close friend’s death in an avalanche as well as the passing away of his grandmother. He nevertheless kept pushing hard and came through away with one of his finest results of his career to date.

More event details can be found at http://www.redbullsnowthrill.com/





It’s over to the Dolomites next week to hit the road with the Fall Line / Document crew. If the weather continues to conjure up bluebird skies we will have the most stunning scenery to play with.

Looking forward to bringing you more news

All the best

Jimmy

Monday, March 06, 2006

Nike ACG UK Weekly Update W/C 06/03/06





It’s still throwing it down out in the hills and the team have been making great use of it, here's what our team have been upto this week;

Dan Wakeham

Currently enduring the 7 hour flight to New York, Dan’s setting his sights on securing some highly valuable (and potentially lucrative) World Cup Points in Lake Placid. However, the significance of the Brits has not been lost on him and he’ll be flying into Switzerland on 11th, competing in the pipe on the 14th and then heading out to Japan on the 15th. He will return from the World Cup Finals on the 20th when he will return to the GB Team base in Morgins before hooking up with the team in the Dolomites.

Have a look at the attached powerpoint slides for a rundown of Dan’s major feature in the latest edition of SUK. The interview charts his rise from Plymouth dryslope to the UK’s best half pipe export and is a great insight into what makes him tick. Dan’s acknowledgement of ACG’s support - enabling him to turn pro when he was close to throwing the dream away - is great to see as well. Also, check out his verdict on how his Airmax should be respected…

“… I hike the whole pipe all day long [for most of the week] and the last thing I want to do when I get home is get the Airmax dirty by running on a muddy track. The Airmax are for going out on the town!”

Open Metro (London) Newspaper today and you’re confronted by a 4 page feature of the Orange Brits that dwells on Dan’s aspirations for the pipe in Laax as well as deservedly name-checking him for his achievement out in Bardonecchia. Unfortunately they have used a shot of him in his GB Team kit but it’s clear that his stock is rising (see picture above).


Rebecca Cullum

Rebecca’s just bagged her first trophy of the season at the Cally Jib Jam. Run out of Calshott on Thursday night, Rebecca made her Mum endure hours of freezing temperatures as she made it all the way through to the finals before winning the senior section. Not bad for a 15 year old!

Rebecca’s continued rise through the ranks is attracting attention from a number of sources. Tonight, she will be in front of the Meridian News cameras at the John Nike Leisure Centre in Bracknell doing demos and giving an interview. The production team at Meridien have also expressed an interest in getting footage of her riding at the Brits (although this is yet to be finalised). In addition, Rebecca gave an interview to radio Berkshire on Friday night, having been contacted at the last moment.

At the rate she’s going she’ll be hosting Grandstand before she’s turned 18…


Zoe Gillings

Zoe’s had a well deserved rest coming off the back of the Olympics. She spent the last part of the Olympic fortnight with her parents in France and was swiftly roped into doing some decorating work on their chalet out there. Coming back to her senses she shot back over to Turin for the closing ceremony on the Sunday night!

This week has been spent back in Morgins with the team. The gang all set off for Lake Placid this afternoon and so they’ve had to get back up to competition speed after the post-Games lull.

Zoe has just confirmed that she will be fit to ride for the Dolomites road trip. Having taken advice from her coach she will be holding back from anything monstrous but will be a hugely valuable member of the team.


Murray Buchan

Murray’s just go the nod from Europe to shoot for next season’s DVD release. Many thanks have to go out to his Dad for his negotiation skills in getting him out of school for another week! Murray will be hooking up with fellow groms whilst the rest of the team are on the road in Italy.

From there, Murray will join Paddy, Tom, Angus and Dan in Les Deux Alpes for BUSC. The guys will be riding in the pipe demo as well as being special guests at their opening ceremony.


Angus Leith

Angus has just wrapped up a highly successful weekend in the Czech Republic at the Europa Cup in Klinovec. On Saturday he stomped his runs and was just knocked off the podium in the second run of the final. However, he was delighted with his 4th place result. Yesterday he went back up the hill for the second part of the double-header and secured a very credible 8th. Clearly mixing it up with big guns who have loads more comp experience than him, Angus is looking in great shape for the Brits next week.


Paddy Graham

Paddy’s had a great week on the hill but a bit of a shocker off it unfortunately.

He took the Polish Freeski Open by storm, bagging 1st in the rail comp and 4th in the Big Air only to return to his room to find his laptop and mobile phone stolen. However, Padds is looking on the bright-side: his riding is looking red hot coming into the Brits and with a bit of luck that’ll be his bad luck over for the season too.

In addition, Paddy has been approached by Fall Line to head out to Sweden and Norway come May for another road trip. With Andorra already in the bag and the Dolomites to come he’s set for a heap of exposure in the magazine next season.

Other comps and shoots on the horizon include the ‘Stairway to Heaven’ rail event in Germany at the end of April and a heli-skiing trip with Dark Summer immediately after the Brits. What’s more, Paddy’s currently shredding the pow in Klosters and bagging some great shots by the sounds of things. He’s a busy boy!


Tom Last

Tom has hit the shores of the UK after a 3 month tour of the Rockies. He’s getting some down-time in before launching his assault on the Alps in the coming weeks.


Noddy Gowans

Last but not least, the Grandpa of the team. Yet to succumb to creaking limbs and still laying off the pipe, Noddy’s been admiring the snowfall over in Serre Chevalier and making plans for some hard-core freeride. In between, he’s been snapped up by Mark Warner Chalets to shoot some imagery for next season’s brochure.


BUSC

The shortlist of 5 shots has been drawn up for the Nike ACG photo competition and BUSC members are currently voting for the overall winner. Since launching the final stage of the competition last Tuesday, over 160 people have voted on their favourites. In addition, we’ve had over 1300 page views.

Take a look for yourself at: http://www.buscevents.com/community/index.php?topic=393.msg4041;topicseen#msg4041 you will need to scroll to the top of the page to see how many votes have been cast.


The end of this week will see us decamp for the team chalet in Laax. I’m looking forward to sending through updates from the hills as they come through.

All the best

Jimmy